PEARSON TURNS TO FRESHFIELDS ON SUMMER FT AND ECONOMIST SELL-OFF
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised Pearson twice over the summer. The publisher sold the Financial Times to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom client Nikkei and split its 50% stake in The Economist Group between Macfarlanes client and co-shareholder Exor, while Linklaters acted for The Economist.
A&O WINS ROLE FOR CARLYLE ON $8BN TECH BUYOUT
Allen & Overy advised The Carlyle Group on international aspects of its $8bn Veritas purchase alongside an investor group including Singapore’s GIC. Carlyle also used Covington & Burling, Latham & Watkins and Alston & Bird, while GIC turned to Ropes & Gray and Sidley Austin. Baker & McKenzie and Fenwick & West advised the seller, Symantec.
BLP AND A&O GET THE GIG ON LONE STAR’S £700M TAKEOVER OF WEMBLEY ARENA OWNER
Berwin Leighton Paisner advised Wembley Arena-owner Quintain Estates and Development on its £700m acquisition by Lone Star Funds. Allen & Overy advised the US private equity firm while Ashurst advised the buyer’s financial adviser, Morgan Stanley.
SLAUGHTERS AND ROPES TAKE THE LEAD ON SHIRE’S $30BN BAXALTA APPROACH
Slaughter and May acted for Shire in the UK as it looked to acquire Baxter’s spun-off unit Baxalta for $30bn. Shire turned to Ropes & Gray for US matters, while Baxalta’s board used Kirkland & Ellis as it turned down the offer.